Online Reporter
Gift Moyo, [email protected]
REIGNING Miss Global Zimbabwe Nomqhele Sisa Nkomo is putting the final touches to her preparations ahead of her trip to Thailand, where she will represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Global 2026 pageant next month.
With the international contest now less than a month away, Nkomo is fine-tuning her modelling routines, wardrobe and national costume as she prepares to compete against queens from across the globe.
While the magnitude of the opportunity has brought some nerves, the Bulawayo-born queen said excitement and gratitude were driving her as she prepares to take Zimbabwe to the international stage.
“Honestly, it’s a mixture of excitement, gratitude and nerves. It’s becoming very real now. I’ve spent so much time preparing and imagining what it would be like to represent Zimbabwe internationally, and now I’m actually getting ready to leave for Thailand.
“I’m nervous because it’s a huge opportunity, but more than anything I’m excited. I want to experience the culture, meet women from different countries and most importantly, carry Zimbabwe with me proudly,” said Nkomo.
The prospect of sharing the stage with some of the world’s promising pageantry talents has also brought its own pressure, but Nkomo said she had learnt to focus on what makes her unique rather than comparing herself with other contestants.
“I think it would be impossible not to feel a little intimidated when you know you’re going to be standing alongside women from all over the world who are accomplished, beautiful and talented. But I’ve learnt not to look at the other women and think, ‘What if I’m not enough?’ but to instead think, ‘What do I bring that is uniquely mine?’
“There is only one Zimbabwean queen, and I want to embrace that. I’m not going to Thailand trying to become someone else. I’m going there as Nomqhele, carrying my culture, my story and my country with me,” she said.
For Nkomo, her reign has been about more than the crown and pageantry. She said the experience has transformed her, giving her a greater sense of responsibility while pushing her beyond her comfort zone.
“I think my reign has been a really transformative experience. Being crowned Miss Global Zimbabwe came with a lot of excitement, but also a great sense of responsibility. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to grow in confidence and taught me to be much more intentional about the kind of woman and representative I want to be.
“I’ve also had the opportunity of using my various creative platforms, particularly poetry, fashion and advocacy, to connect with people and tell Zimbabwean stories,” she said.
Through her GreenMinds initiative, Nkomo has also sought to link environmental awareness with mental well-being, creating spaces where young people can express themselves, feel valued and recognise the importance of their surroundings.
“One of the initiatives closest to my heart is GreenMinds, which focuses on connecting environmental awareness with mental well-being.
“I believe we often separate the environment from our mental health, when in reality, the spaces we live in can have a huge impact on how we feel.
“I’ve also continued using poetry, fashion and creative arts as tools for youth empowerment and storytelling. For me, advocacy doesn’t always have to look like a traditional campaign. Sometimes it’s creating a space where young people can express themselves, feel seen and realise that their creativity has value.”
As the departure date approaches, Nkomo said her preparations have been intensive, covering everything from her wardrobe and national costume to communication, presentation, runway skills and mental readiness.
“It’s definitely been a very hands-on preparation process. I’ve been preparing across different areas, from my wardrobe and national costume to my communication, presentation, runway and overall confidence.
“One of the most interesting parts for me has actually been creating some of my own looks because I’m also a fashion designer. I’ve been documenting parts of that process and really challenging myself creatively.
“Beyond the physical preparation, I’ve also been preparing mentally because an international pageant can be overwhelming. I’m reminding myself that preparation isn’t about trying to control everything. It’s about knowing that I’ve done my best and trusting myself when the moment comes,” she said.
